Acute effect of successive judo bouts on peak arm power

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: The high metabolic stress observed during judo bouts seems to affect the handgrip and arm pushing isometric strength and the shoulder rotation torque performance, while the are no data concerning explosive actions of the upper limbs during one or more bouts. The aim of this study was the knowledge about effect of a simulated judo competition on the arm force-velocity relationship. Material and Methods: Twelve national-level male judokas participated in four 5-minute judo bouts, separated by 15 minutes of passive rest. Before and after each bout, participants performed three repetitions of concentric bench press at maximal intended velocity with the load linked to the maximal power achieved during a preliminary incremental loading test. Peak power (PP), force (PF) and velocity (PV) were measured at each repetition with a lineal position transducer. Finger capillary blood samples were taken 1, 3 and 14 minutes after each bout to determine the maximum lactate level and its removal. Results: There was a time of measurement effect on absolute and relative PP (p<0.01), resulting in an improvement in the after-bout PP due to a rise in the after-bout PV (p<0.001). Changes between pre- and post-bout PP ranged from small to moderate (ES from 0.33 to 0.65; mean percentage of change of 17.7%). ANOVA showed no effect of the bout number on the absolute and relative PP, PV and PF (p>0.05). High lactate levels were found (mean 16.1 ±1.5 mmol·L−1), showing a reduction throughout the bouts (p<0.001). Conclusions: Despite the high metabolic stress observed, judo bouts produced acute improvements in the arm pushing PP immediately after the bouts. Training strategies should focus primarily on achieving high levels of arm pushing power and maximum strength. Moreover, coaches should consider design warm-ups protocols to induce a potentiate state in the arms immediately before the combats.